Celebrating Athletics and Running for a Cause

 We are gradually approaching the finish line, but yet got so much to do!

Parent Workshop: Navigating and Resolving Conflict with Your Child

Please join us for the final Student Support Services workshop entitled ‘Navigating and Resolving Conflict  with your Child’ Thursday 26th May 2021. Conflict is inevitable between parents and children. We will explore some of the conflict triggers and look at strategies for what to do in the midst of a conflict and how to move towards restoration/resolution. Join us on the day using the link below.

Google Meet joining info

18.00

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/jsi-nirm-ifu  

A very busy week in Primary

 I wonder how we fit it all in.... but we do :)

An eventful week in Primary School

 Loads to blog about this week!

Coronavirus response rationale

I'm writing to elaborate some of the thinking that goes into our coronavirus strategy here at International School. Usually, we communicate guidance as simply and clearly as possible, but I think there is virtue in understanding the thinking underlying the guidance.

Myths about Motivation: some research for reflection

 As parents and teachers, we will be doing our best to motivate our students and children so that they can do their best on the end of year exams coming up in a few weeks (Thursday 26th May - Thursday 2nd June). In this article in Education Week, there are some interesting insights on student motivation from the American Educational Research Association (AERA) which were framed as pushback on three myths about motivation that are common in schools:

Being a member of the ISL Board of Governors

I have been a member of the ISL Board of Governors for about a year and it has been very fulfilling and rewarding. Being a member of the Board provides an opportunity to make input into school policies and management operations that impact the lives of students, teachers and parents. As Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force, I’ve been able to work with other Board members and school staff to develop guidelines to keep our school safe.  It gives me great joy to know that I am actively participating in improving my children’s school. - Seun Aladesanmi 

Being a member of the ISL Board of Governors

Being a member of the ISL Board of Governors has been a really rewarding experience. I’ve been a board member for two years now and have one year left in my term. I’ve learned so much about ISL’s management, policies and operations. As a member of the Marketing Committee, I’ve been able to input and participate in some very cool initiatives – developing an ISL branding and marketing strategy, supporting video productions, and more. On the policy committee, we’ve really looked at strengthening ISL’s governance framework. It is a commitment of time, but as a full-time professional and full-time mom, I haven’t found it to be too much. It’s a real pleasure to work with the other Board members and I feel like I am genuinely contributing to the improvement of my kids’ school, which has been so fulfilling. - Maureen Mersmann

Being a member of the ISL Board of Governors

 I have been a board member for a year, and have tremendously enjoyed being actively involved in the school's decision making processes. I was very warmly welcomed by the board members and the school administration. As Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee, I work with other board members and the school to assess and formulate why we do things, and to ensure we advance with purpose so that our kids are best equipped to thrive in the world of tomorrow. It is a very rewarding and positive environment with committed people. - Camille Wauters

Introducing Marie-Emilie Riger - DP & IGCSE English + TOK Teacher

Marie-Emilie Riger joins us from Sandford International School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she taught English, Theory of Knowledge, and coordinated the core components of the IB Diploma programme. Beforehand, Marie-Emilie worked mostly in China, where she also developed valuable experience in the Pastoral realm. Marie-Emilie has an M. Education and a Ba in Philosophy from the University of Burgundy in France, as well as a PGCE from the University of Sunderland in the UK. 

Marie-Emilie has a confident knowledge of the Middle Years, IGCSE and IBDP curricula and requirements in the language and literature courses. Her experience in pastoral care has been an asset in understanding and accompanying the journey of her students in different cultural settings. 

Marie-emilie likes reading, gardening, cooking and outdoors activities.

Introducing Michelle Shepherd - DP & IGCSE Chemistry Teacher

Michelle Shepherd joins us from Utahloy International School, Guangzhou China, where she has taught DP Chemistry and Biology as well as middle school science and drama for the past three years.  She has a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of London and Qualified Teacher status from the United Kingdom.  Michelle has a wealth of international experience gained in seven different countries in Europe and Asia but is very excited to be joining the International School of Lusaka this year, for her first adventure on the African continent.   

Michelle loves to be outdoors in nature, walking, swimming, cycling or sailing but also enjoys acting, singing, dancing and curling up with a good book.

Introducing Kalizya Nseluka - Careers Counselor

Kalizya Nseluka joins the International School of Lusaka with a demonstrated history of working in higher education administration. Kalizya has got an ASA degree from Northwestern Michigan College, a BA in International Relations from Calvin University and an MA in Organizational Leadership from Cornerstone University. She was living in the USA for 9 years where she began her career working in the administrative offices of Colleges and Universities and then transitioned to NGOs where she worked in International and Global affairs.

Kalizya returned to Zambia in 2020 and has since had work experience working for local NGOs as a Publications Manager and an international school as a University Guidance Counsellor. Outside of her professional career, she also sees herself as a businesswoman and actively runs her family business. 

Kalizya likes to take walks, watch TV series, listen to music and explore new places. She is an avid dog lover, a super Marvel fan and finds baking very therapeutic!

Introducing Richard Riches - DP & IGCSE Geography + Social Studies Teacher

Richard Riches will be joining the secondary teaching team at the International School of Lusaka as a Geography and Social Studies teacher from August of 2022. In terms of his academic and teaching background, Richard studied at John Ruskin University between 1995 to 1998 where he acquired a bachelor's degree in History before transferring to Brunel University in 1999 to complete his PGCE in London.

Over the past twenty-two years, Richard has successfully delivered a broad range of Humanities based subjects including Geography, History and Sociology. During that time, he has worked in secondary schools in London, Malaysia, China and most recently Ethiopia. During his career as a teacher, Richard has successfully held numerous positions of responsibility including Head of Department, Head of faculty, EE coordinator and even pastoral based responsibilities such as the management of extracurricular activities.

Aside from teaching, Richard has two young children (who will also be attending the International school in Lusaka) loves distance running, watching football, reading and is a keen but amateur musician. 

Introducing Aditi Chakraborty - DP & IGCSE Economics + Enterprise Teacher

Aditi Chakraborty joins us from her most recent position as HoD Math at Lechwe International School in the Copperbelt and shortly after becoming a proud mother to a daughter. 

Aditi has a Masters in Financial Economics from the world renowned University of Manchester (UK) and is a certified programme leader for Professional Development Qualification from Cambridge Assessment International  Education.

Aditi has a diverse experience in Economic Research at the Economic and Social Research Council, Banking and Teaching in the UK, India and now Zambia. Her experience in Zambia includes teaching positions at Baobab College also with a consolidated teaching experience of 10 years.

Aditi loves to travel, cook, read and has a soft spot for wildlife. She is also an avid dog lover and loves to spend weekends with them.

Introducing Dorothy Mwanza - Primary teacher

My Name is Dorothy Mwanza, and I am thrilled to be joining the Early Years team at International School of Lusaka. I gained my Early Childhood Education teaching experience in Doha, Qatar, where I worked with The Newton Group of schools for 6 years. I completed my B.Eng. in Telecommunications in Wuhan, China and in 2017, I received my PGC in Education from The University of Nottingham.

Working with many children to whom English was a second language motivated me to “think outside the box” in order to provide a learning space for all ability groups and needs, allowing students to explore and investigate their own learning. I look forward to promoting this teaching and learning philosophy with my new learners this academic year and ensure to help each child progress in their development.

In my spare time, I enjoy, playing with my dogs, listening to music, cooking, traveling around the world to learn about different cultures, playing sports such as swimming and netball and enjoy a relaxing jog every now and then.   

Reception Parents Workshop: Middle Infant Screening Test

On Thursday 5th May 2022 the Student Support Services (SSS) held a parent workshop that focused on the Middle Infant Screening Test (MIST). This is a screener that will be used in Reception and Year 1 to help chart the literacy development of our young learners. The results of the MIST also help inform teaching and learning as  we strive to ensure the personal development of students in their literacy learning journey.  The MIST results should always be seen in light of the child’s performance throughout the year and this is reflected in class teacher observations, feedback and assessment. 

A key take away from the workshop was that each child has a unique journey that they take in their learning and a holistic view to assessment is important to get a comprehensive picture of literacy development. For more on assessment and navigating life with your child join us for our last two online parent workshops over the next two weeks as follows:

ISAZ U-19 Hockey

After a little break the ISAZ events are back, and on May 7 the ISL hosted the ISAZ U-19 Regional tournament in Hockey. 

Girls team - Coach Mr Gift Munsanje

Introducing Shireen Appana - Primary Principal

Shireen Appana joins us from Nord Anglia School Nantong, in China where she was the Founding Head of the School. Her International leadership background includes serving as the Primary Principal at the United Nations International School in New York and Bonn International School in Germany. Prior to being a Principal, Shireen was a PYP Coordinator and a Language Coordinator at Bonn International School and a Subject Leader for the Arts and Homeroom Teacher at Karori Normal School in New Zealand. Shireen has worked in IB Schools since 2003.

Shireen holds a Master of Education Degree from the University of Natal in South Africa. She is also a Principal, Training Center (PTC) graduate from Miami, USA and has a Certificate in International School Leadership in School Wide Curriculum, Assessment, Leadership and Group Dynamics and Supervision and Evaluation. In addition, she has also completed PTC courses in Finance and Technology in International School Leadership. To enhance her vision and leadership skills and increase her ability for innovation in International Schools, she has completed the training for New and Aspiring Heads and participated in the Global Women’s Leadership Assembly, an initiative by five leading women CEOs in Europe and the Middle East.

IBDP Group 4 Project begins

On Wednesday, 4th May, all Year 12 students attended a mini worshop on Group 4 Project organised by the Science department. The main purpose of the Group 4 Project is to introduce students to the idea that science is a group activity performed by teams and 'to encourage an understanding of the relationship between scientific disciplines and the overarching nature of scientific methods'(IB Aim 10)

The theme chosen was ' Temperature '. After the introduction, students were put into teams which comprised of students representing each of the 4 disciplines namely Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science and Physics. Students began planning various activities ranging from research, experiments, survey etc.....Their planning will be put into action on the 6th and 7th of June, which have been dedicated as Group 4 Project days. Group 4 Project isn't assessed but students will be expected to write a short reflective statement.